Topic: Would you build your Jeep again, if you could start over?

[DodgeMudder]

Every once and while, when I look at my Jeep sitting as I'm driving something else because the Cheep just isn't that streetable anymore, at least till I get some more time and work into it, and get some tires that you can't see wearing everytime you drive it.  I get to thinking about this question, so here is my idea, I'm going to post a quick hit list of what my Jeep is, then a quick rundown of what I think would have been a better build, and few sentences of why.  I think it would be really cool if others did the same.  I figure it would be really interesting to find out what people like and don't like about there builds, and I figure it would also give newbs a good look into different ways to build a Jeep. 

Currently:
'95 YJ
2.5l w/ 4.0l TB, and opened up exhaust and intake
nv3550 tranny
231 w/ SYE
raised custom tranny mount, (only extends 1/2" under frame rails)
SOA on RamCharger front springs all the way around
extended shackles front
3/4 eliptical rear using a long upper link from a 1-ton rear spring pack
8.8 rear  4.88 gears, trash lock, custom truss/pinion gaurd
hp 30 front, removed CAD, 4.88s, lock-rite
All lower shock mounts above the axles
34 LTB's
HF special winch
Flat fenders

Thats all the major mods I can think of off the top of my head.  There is still more mods I'm working on, but I'll leave those for a later thread.

Here is what I think I would build if I had it to do all over again.
'95 YJ
2.5l w/ 4.0l TB, and opened up exhaust and intake
nv3550 tranny
231 w/ SYE
raised custom tranny mount w/ flat skid
fliped u-bolts
raised lower shock mounts
boomerang shackles 1.5" lift
31" boggers
HP 30 front, 4.10s, CAD removed, ARB
Super 35 rear 4.10s, ARB
Rocker gaurds
winch

I miss having a low COG and the local trails I play on all the time were just more fun on 31's when I had to work at t to make them, now I have to go find bigger and harder trails to have the same fun.

[oldjeep]

Only thing I would change, is I would have started with a 4.0L YJ

[neale_rs]

Current:

'95 YJ
4.5 inch spring under lift
rear dana 44, open diff
4.56 gears
SYE and CV DS
steering box brace
33" BFG muds
Warn M8000 winch
and more to come...

What I think I would build:

2004 Rubicon
OME 2.5 inch lift
flat belly skid
CV DS
33" X 10.5 mud tires
4.56 gears
9000 lb winch
full set of skid plates (steering box, radiator, engine, gas tank)

The main reason for this is to have air conditioning which would encourage my wife and daughter to join in the fun more often.

[DodgeMudder]

Only thing I would change, is I would have started with a 4.0L YJ

ow about a quick list of what you have?  is it stock or

[oldjeep]

ow about a quick list of what you have?  is it stock or

Lots o stuff
http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php?topic=2614.0

[Mozman68]

Only thing I would change, is I would have started with a 4.0L YJ

I thought that at first as well....but I wonder how willing I would be to actually save up my money and change out the engine if it was actually strong enough now.

[jfrabat]

Well, mine is currently aws follows:

What I have:

• '94 YJ 2.5L
• Gibson cat back
• 4" RE std lift with boomerang shackles
• NV231 with SYE and CV shaft
• Super 30 and Super 35 (both with ARB)
• Aluminum radiator and e-fan (FoMoCo) with auto controller
• 4.0L TB (bored to 62mm) and TB spacer
• Targa Hard Top (Pavement Ends)
• Right now, I got 31" street tires to be changed to 33" BFG MT KM2's

What I'd build:

• '94 YJ 4.0L
• Borla SS headers and SS cat back; Random Tech. cat
• SOA with boomerand shackels
• NV231 with SYE and CV shaft
• Super 30 and Ford 8.8 (both with ARB)
• Aluminum radiator and e-fan (FoMoCo) with auto controller
• 4.0L TB (bored to 62mm) and TB spacer
• Targa Hard Top (Best Top)
• 35" BFG MT KM2
• 9000# winch (Superwinch or Warn)
• Snorkel

I'd start with the 4.0 because it is more powerful.  Then I'd put the Borla headers and cat back with a high flow cat converter to open up the exhaust to go along with the bored TB and spacer.  I'd go SOA instead of lift springs for softer on-road ride and more flex; I would keep the 231 with the SYE and CV shaft, as they have worked well for many people (mine is for mud, not rocks, so I dont need the ultra low TC).  I would take out the D35 and throw in a Ford 8.8 in the rear rather than go S35...  MAYBE I would go twin D44's instead, but an 8.8 would do fine. 

Hard top is a must if it is a daily driver, as it makes the Jeep MUCH more civilized; but the pavement ends one I had to do SO MUCH WORK to make it stop leaking, that I'd go straight for the Best Top one.  Besides, the best top one has the vents and the rear wiper, which mine does not.  I would also keep the AC, which in FL is a must!

The aluminum radiator and e-fan conversion has been one of my favorite mods, and I would keep it.  I got a bunch of other stuff on my Jeep that is not so important to mention, and since I would keep most of it (or do it again), I will not mention here...

Felipe

[oldjeep]

I thought that at first as well....but I wonder how willing I would be to actually save up my money and change out the engine if it was actually strong enough now.

If it was strong enough why would you bother?

[95yjman]

I'm building mine to have fun on the weekend and still be able to drive it around town and to work in some what comfort.  I don't plan to chop it up or do a SOA...SUA is just fine for me.  Mines not really that built up yet but I do have a 2" BDS lift kit and SYE sitting here waiting to go on.  The biggest I plan to go is 35" tires, but bump up to 33s next and see how I like it.  33's on a YJ seem like a good combo once I regear, but I guess if I had to change one thing I would of started with a 4.0L, now don't get me wrong my little 2.5L does just fine, just not the best for highway travel.

[jfrabat]

...don't get me wrong my little 2.5L does just fine, just not the best for highway travel.

That would be my main reason also; more highway than offroad...

[Jeffy]

If it was strong enough why would you bother?

He should have geared it lower and called it done.    

I could have bought a '92 4.0L Sahara but I ended up buying the S instead.  The Jeep was my first 'car'.  At the time, I bought it, no one was really doing anything to extreme like today so I doubt I would have changed anything if I was put in the same situation again.  Hind sight is 20/20 though.

If I was working with the same stock Jeep, today, I would have not bought several things;

Smittybilt tube rear bumper followed by a Pro-Comp tube bumper rear bumper
Smittybilt 3" shorty nerf bars
Cow catcher front bumper
Steel Horse Hardtop
BFG 32x11.5R15's
Progressive 15x8.5" wheels
3.5" Trail Master Suspension
Detroit True Trac
Detroit Soft Locker
XJ Dana 44
Superior HD Axle shafts
4.56:1 gears for Dana 30, Dana 35 and Dana 44
Flowmaster exhaust...

Here's what I'd do instead.

RE 1.5" SOA leafs up front and RE 4.5" SUA leafs in the rear.
D60 geared to 5.38 or 5.89:1 w/ARB's.
Atlas 4 Speed 10.3:1
Maybe a NV3550 or 4500 swap which would set me up fro an engine swap if I decide to pursue that.  I see myself swapping a healthy engine out any time soon.

Now, if I was starting off with a new Jeep today, I would have gone with a TJL Rubicon and set it up for 35's.  OR maybe a Toyota FJ60 with a diesel I6...

[Mozman68]

If it was strong enough why would you bother?

It wouldn't be...I would just be lulled into that sense of security that it was enough (when we all know it really isn't)

I need a V8.

[chardrc]

my 1990 yj isn't too built yet to regret much... 2.5inch bds lift springs, removed track bars, jks swaybar disconnects, boomerang shackles (.75 inch lift), and powertrax locker in the rear.... as of now the only thing that i would change is i would have used some axle shims on the back axle so i could get rid of the 1 inch transfercase skid drop.....

in the long run i only plan on running 33's, so i plan on adding tj fender flares, a d44 to the rear, and maybe 4:88 gears(or keep the 4:10).... depends on when my s10 rusts out enough so that i can justify taking the 4.3l, NV3500 and np231 from it (with respective rebuilds as they already have 164k on them) o and add a locker to the front...